Quentinb

So I am working in Portsmouth near Cosham in the UK and have accommodation in property owned by my company. Its a perk.
Eventually I will have to move out. I have kids in Senior school and was hoping for some advice here on where to stay?
Areas I was looking at include (Waterlooville, Havant and Fareham), I don't want to go further south in Portsmouth as it then becomes city and we don't want that.
Can you order them from best to worst location in your opinion? Or maybe add another location which I have not listed here?

dmu

Hi, you'd do better to post in the "Moving Back to the UK" forum, as this one is intended for expats living in or moving to Europe.
I would suggest not living too far from your workplace and avoid your children changing schools.

Quentinb

Thanks, admin can you please move this to "Moving Back to the UK" forum?

Loafing Along

If you are prepared to drive a bit further Petersfield is a very pleasant town, quite calm good properties and not a difficult commute into Portsmouth but good countryside all around

Quentinb

Thanks, I heard the same about Petersfield, seems like a nice place. Will have to go check it out.

calman014

Where are your kids going to school (town) and where's your work location?
If you move, how will they get to school and you to work? Got any planning in place for that?

A3 (M) and M27 are pretty busy in the mornings and evenings so expect some traffic holdups occasionally.

Quentinb

I work in Portsmouth near Cosham. My wife and kids are still in South-Africa and will only join me in August. But of course I cannot take them in with me into the company accommodation.
So I need to move and was asking where would be best areas for them with schools. They will only start school in the UK in September.
Getting to work, we will have a car and I can always take a bus or walk if I have to
I am more concerned about them being in a good area and close decent schools.

christmasoompa

Do remember though, that if they're decent schools they may be oversubscribed, so if the children are only coming in August, you're not likely to get them in to those schools anyway. Might be worth checking to see what places have been allocated for Sept to find out how far down a waiting list they're likely to be and which school they may actually be offered, in case it's a long way from your planned area.

Bud the Wiser

Probably not for everyone, but there are lots of commuters who travel from the Isle of Wight into Portsmouth every day.

calman014

Denmead, Clanfield, also A272 to East of Petersfield. Those are some good areas within decent travel distance.

Quentinb

Thank you all. I will have to travel to some of the places mentioned here to go have a look.

calman014

Problem with that is the cost...its pretty expensive these days..

Plus, if I wanted my kids to have a future I would not live there..

scrubbedexpat141

If you want to live somewhere pleasant, move to Southampton.

Bud the Wiser

Agree in part. Season tickets for foot passengers bring the price right down. Lovely place to bring up young kids. Older children may find the place boring with restricted scope for a career and seek excitement and work opportunities on the mainland.
As I say, not for everyone.

Moses2013

But then again even kids who live in larger cities (mainland) don't stay forever and get bored of the place, so no real difference really. The world is changing too and one day these kids might be thankful for a bit of fresh air and space to grow food, which also opens new business opportunities in the future. Not saying that you have more of that on the Isle of Wight but just in general that we don't really know what kids will value in the future.